Notre-Dame de la Merci/St-Donat/Black Mountain 15january2022 photo/video ride report

[towing]

With the deep cold we had think it would be a good idea to go feeding the Black Mountain's grayJays



This short ride path was perfect for a very cold day riding. We left the trailer at the Petro-T in Notre-Dame de la Merci village and went north toward St-Donat

It was still at -25C when we left at 10:30 AM. The trail pass directly on Ouareau lake and was mint

We then took #33 trail west that was perfect



and then the #317 as good. Directions are marked at junction for Black Mountain so it is easy to find.



A bit farther the local trail to the right bring us toward the summit. The rising began... 





Just before the summit we took the short dead end summit trail to the right

And got at the summit around 11:15 am. A strong wind insure us to not have any mosquitos or black flies around! 

Even with the deep cold, we ate up there and pass near 2 relax hours at talking with other sledders and playing with the gray jays. Those last ones were a bit shy at first but got quickly more friendly. We also had the visit of a Blue Jay (first time there) but it was way more timid and stayed farther. We failed the catch a quality pic but this blue bird was outstanding to watch flying between those pure white trees.

I put together a short video of footage took at the summit. Those who watch till the end will see that the birds were not shy at all after getting used to us.
 

We then got down the mountain...





And took the #33 trail around Archambault lake. There is woodcutting operation in this area, this is also why the Mont Cenelle summit trail is actually closed. It is riding well but we follow and cross a forest road many times. Although 3 young peoples in a SUV that had decided to explore this forest road learned the hard way how important it is to keep on the road and not the trail... 



the small truck was solid stuck with the side pressed on trees. When we arrived they were just been told no towing company would get there because it was not a public road... We helped them in giving them the information for contacting St-Donat snowmobile club and secure the trail with red flag before the curve to mark the danger zone. They were not dress to walk miles in that weather but some of their friends were about to arrive with an other car to retrieved them when we left.

We then continue on the #33 that was nice

The #33 section between Coin Lavigne and St-Donat village was a bit worn but very acceptable. There was some toc tocs in the skis from time to time so the new snow on the way for tomorrow will be perfect to improve the conditions. The #310 toward NDM was also nice 

We had been back at the trailer around 15:30 PM with a small 70 funny miles on the dream meter, perfect ride for the weather we had

Everybody here is waiting the tomorrow snow storm that should spread a good snow layer in a big part of the Quebec. We expect it will open up the whole trail network for our area and many other around in the very next days... 

let's get burry under snow!

[PLAYHARD]

13 hours ago, towing said:

not have any mosquitos or black flies around! 

 

Too funny!

Thanks always for sharing, even when it's not always blue skies!

But this day was a wowza for the pics & video (and not too cold for us watching)!

Nice to see the feathered friends cueing for their turn on the munchies!

 

Hopefully we learn from our missteps!...

13 hours ago, towing said:

learned the hard way how important it is to keep on the road and not the trail... 

 

Thanks again!

[P Hardy]

Great report, pictures and video! Thanks Alain!

[NSHM]

Great pics and video!

Is the "spoon and the pot" still open in St. Donat? Also is the relais still there at the top of the mountain?

[603backcountry]

Another great report, thanks

[schooter]

Thank you for the details and photos 

[smclelan]

Great report and pictures as always,  thank you both.

 

[Andyman]

As Bill would say a blue bird day!!!!

 

[towing]

You are all very welcome guys and thanks for the good words! 👍

 

On 1/17/2022 at 12:28 PM, NSHM said:

Great pics and video!

Is the "spoon and the pot" still open in St. Donat? Also is the relais still there at the top of the mountain?

Unfortunately Cuillère a Pot is definitely closed... I seen an add last season that they were offering rooms renting for 1 month or more, didn't see anything about them since. It is always make a pinch at the heart to loose such place that were a pillar in snowmobiling for years and years in the area. We have unfortunately to admit that the last years have not been the best one for them and it was not what it used to be... As for the relais it is at Devils Mountain north of Mt-Laurier that they have a relay on the top(and it is still there). Black Mountain here have since 2017 that nice Mirador that give an outstanding 360degre view around. Even it is used all year round, it is the St-Donat snowmobile club that realized this great projet.

In the good news department, I read last weekend that the St-Côme Ice sculpture festival will take place this season, a bit later than usual from 12 to 27 February. It's always worth the visit if you pass in the area in those dates.

And talking about blue bird day, we have our regulars blue jays at home that come each days so we can have our bluebird day even when it's cloudy 😉. Impossible to feed them in our hands like the gray jays at the mountain but we can enjoy watching them. They are as beautiful as they are bad singer, awful! Here a very short vid I took a while ago of them

 

[Fozzy]

Unfortunately Cuillère a Pot is definitely closed... 
 

I was sledding up there on Dec 30 th and we rode by Cuillere a Pot, the parking lot was packed and it looked like they were open. We used to stay there a lot in the past and was looking forward to going back. The whole town of St Dnat was booming with sleds everywhere.